STOP whingeing about Ruud and regretting Ronaldo...just get on with the job of putting Manchester United back at the top of English football.

That was the no-nonsense verdict from skipper Roy Keane to United fans and to any of his teammates who might be feeling sorry for themselves after Sunday's opening-day defeat at Chelsea.

Keane was United's best player in that match, and his response afterwards was typical.

Many United fans were reasonably happy with the United performance at Stamford Bridge, if not the result, due to the lengthy list of players unavailable to manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

But Keane is having none of that. And he refused to be drawn into making excuses about the injuries to strikers Ruud van Nistelrooy, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Rio Ferdinand's ongoing ban, and the absence of Olympians Cristiano Ronaldo and Gabriel Heinze.

Cutting edge

"As for the injured players, there is absolutely no point in talking about them, and that is not being disrespectful," said Keane.

"They are not involved, we have a good squad as it is and this gives the younger lads a chance.

"We had all the possession in the second half against Chelsea but we all know it's about putting the ball in the back of the net and we lacked that cutting edge in the final third.

"Hopefully, we can work on that this week and take a few of our chances against Norwich next week."

Keane is no longer the demanding, zealous figure he has projected in the past, when he has castigated fans and teammates, using words sharp enough to constitute an offensive weapon at times.

Just as he has toned down his act on the field, he is more restrained off it as well - perhaps it is all part of his evolution towards a coaching and management role.

He will have noted from Sir Alex that a great manager has compassion and encouragement in his make-up along with the steel and fire.

There is talk that Keane is ultimately being groomed for the top job at Old Trafford and his demeanour in recent months adds fuel to that rumour.

But he feels a new playing horizon has opened up for him this season, as he prepares to play more games and is currently on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, evidence of his growing confidence in managing the hip and knee injuries which had started to inhibit his career.

The switch to central defence, as well as being forced on Sir Alex by lack of personnel, is also a ploy aimed at conserving Keane for the challenges ahead. Midfield is more telling on the body.

Blip

But Keane, regardless of where he plays, continues to seek the best in himself and others and says the setback at Chelsea was nothing more than a blip.

"We all thought we deserved something, but of course we are positive - there is a full season to go yet," he said.

"Of course we don't want to be three points behind our rivals. Next week is important to us, with a few of the lads away for internationals.

"But we will lick our wounds and be back. The spirit among the players is great. On Sunday we were just lacking that final pass, and the final pass is the most important one, especially when you are trying to get a goal.

"As much as the possession we had, Alan Smith had a header first half and I thought Giggsy's header was in, in the second half, but besides that their keeper didn't have much to do.

"Tim didn't have much to do either, but it is early in the season and it sometimes takes a few weeks to get your shooting boots on."